Signaling system



. Novo l?,

J. c, FIELD sIeNAI'IING SYSTEM Filed oct 7. 1921 S s Y uw Y F Nw E Patented Nov. 17, 1925. n

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH C. FIELD, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEYASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application led October 7, 1921. Serial No. 506,163.

T all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orange, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Systems, ot which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to signaling systems, and particularly to such systems whereby indications may be transmitted automatically from one point to another.

It is common practice to employ signaling systems in conjunction with remotely controlled electrical apparatus such as, for eX- ample, semaphores or power switches, in order that the position of each piece of apparatus may readily be determined Lat the distant central oflice. In such systems it is highly important that the position of each apparatus be reported distinctly at the control station and that means be provided to prevent the signals interfering with each other. The method heretoforeemployed in systems of this type has been to provide a plurality of lines, one for the signaling meansassociate-d with each switch. The present invention, however relates to systems containing a number of separate substations, each oi which contains a pluralityof switches, all connected withy the central station by a single line.

It is an object of the. invention to means whereby the position of a p irality of distantly controlled switches may be indicated automatically at a distant station. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide interlocking means which, in case a plurality of switches Aare operated simultaneously, insures that a distinctive answerback signal is received at the :central oilice from each switch operated, none of the answer-back signals being` confused with the others.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for obtaining a positive lockout between two orinore signaling means operating at the same time at a given substation.

Another object oi'rthc invention is to proiride .means for obtaininga lock-out between two or. more signaling means operating at thefsaine time at different substations.'

Another object of the invention 1s to pro vide. means whereby a plurality ofA signals provide' and Other objects and features of the invention will Yappear from a consideration of the following description taken in conjunc# tion with the accompanying vdrawing and the appended claims.

The drawing shows diagrammatically one embodiment of the invention, the reference 'letters A and B indicating a plurality of substations shown connected with a central control station C bymeans of the line wire 1. A plurality of vsemaphores or power switches 2 and 3 are located at the substa-l tion A, and a plurality of similar switches 102 and 103 are located at the substation B, these switches being controlled by manual operation or by any suitable remote control-A system, not shownin the drawing. The

power switch 2 carries a contact 4 which is connected to a source of currentsupply, and is designed to engage with one or the other of contacts and 6 allotted to this particular switch. -The Aswitch 3 carries a corresponding contact 7, adapted to engage with either of contacts 8 or 9. At substal tion B, the switch 102 is provided with a contact 104, adapted for engagement with either of contacts 105 and 106; while the switch 103 1s provided with a contact 107 associated contactsV 108 and 109. Whether the contact 5 or 6 is engaged by switch contact 4, depends upon the .position of the power switch 2. Similarly, thel pou sition of the switch 3 determines the position of its contact 7 with respect to its associated contacts 8 and 9, the same condition holding true for switches 102 and 103 at the substation B. The power switches are merely provided with additional contacts so that, upon the opening or closing, a circuit will be completed for effecting the operation of indicating mechanism as will be `hereinafter described.

`Associated with thepower switch 2 is a mechanical locking relayL 10 having two windings, a motor-11,' anda cam Shaft driven by -the motor, equipped with .three cams, 12, 13 and 14, of insulating material. The power switch 3 has associated with it a corresponding relay 15, a motor 16, and a cam shaft equipped with cams 17,- 18 and 19. 5 Similarly, the power switch 102- has associated with it a relay 110, a motor 111, and cams 112, 113 and 114; while the switch 103 is'provided with relay 115, motor 116, and cams 117., 118 and 119. Each substation onthe line is provided with a relay similar to that shown at 20 in substation A, and at 120 in substation .B, the operation of any of these relays, as hereinafter described, serving to break the signaling circuit of all the substations beyond. A line relay -21 is provided at station A and a similar line relay 121isprovided at station B, the operation of either,of these relays serving to break the signaling circuit of its vrespective substation, the purpose of which .will be hereinafter described. The relays 21l and 121 areof relatively high impedance in order to prevent the passage of alternating current therethrough. A resistance is l 25 provided in shunt of each of these relays for the passage of the alternating current.

It is desired to prevent the passage of'alternating current through. these relays, since when direct current is passing through ,i0 either one, so that it is operated, asl herein- .after described, the passageof i. alternating current through it might .release it and permit signals from its station to be impressed on the line and hence impress false pulses on the receiving apparatus at the central station. In the embodiment shown inthe drawing the apparatus at station A is shown as operated from a source of alternating current supply, through the secondary of a `40 transformer 22, while the apparatus at substation B is shown as o erated A'from a sepa:

rate source of alternating current 123. At substation A, the alternating -current is shown connected to the line through the condenser 24 and retardation coil 25; and at substation B, the alternating current is shown operating through the transformer 125. v

` A plurality of selectors 26 are located at 50 the central control station. These selectors are Aprovided with code settings and are referably` of the type disclosed in Patent o.. 1,343,256, ,granted to J. C; Field, June 15, 1920, but any/other well known selector maybe employed. Each selector 26 is.

' adapted 4tofcontrol the operation of a pair :fof mechanically locking relays 27 and 28, the armatures .of veach of which control the .circuits of a pair. of electric lamps. It is l customary to'employ only four contactsin the type of selector herein-described, and hence each selector is adapted to control the .lighting of only four lamps, corresponding ectors being connected m parallel therewith to ,conn-g1 the operation of other p such 2 is closedI contact 4 is moved into engagethereto by a battery 33, through the armatures of the relays 27 and 28, respectively, and either of the contacts' 34 or'354 on the one hand, and either of the contacts 36 or 37 on the other. Thus, the attendant at the control station, by observing the lamp that is lighted, is informed of the position-of any given switch. In practice, it is preferred to have the lamps 29 and 31 green, andthe lamps 30 and 32 red. lThe lighting of ared lamp informs the attendant that a certain power switch is closed, while the lighting of a green lamp will indicate that a particular switchhas been moved to the open position. `The lighting of these lamps will be hereinafter described in detail. The selector 26, controlling the lamp circuits, is operated by a pole-changer 38, which, in turn, is operated by current from a battery 39 upon the operation of a relay 40. A battery 41 supplies current to'operate the selectors 26 at the central station and also supplies current to the line 1 to operate the relays 20 and 120 at the various substations. 4The relay 40 is operated by the alternating current from any substation A or B, upon a change in the position of any power switch, as hereinafter described, the passage of the alternating current to the local direct current circuit being prevented by the retardation coil 42.

Since/only theindicating lamps for substation A .have been shown in the drawing,4 the ollowiz4 g description will be largely directed to that station. The power switch 2'is considered to be open, the red indicating lamp `3() at the central station being lighted, as shown in the drawing. When the switch ment with contact completing an energlzing circuit for the relay 10 which may be traced from' the secondary of the transformer 22, through the contacts 44 and 45 of the relays 10 and 15, respectively, contacts 4. and 5 of the power switch, .and an associated contact 46, -through the uppermost Winding of the relayv 10 to ground. Since the relay-10 isof the mechanically locking type, .it is retained in its operated position.

Upon operating, the armature of the relay 10 opens the contact 44, cutting olf the source ofcurrent to the relay 15 and `all other similar relays at the same. substation, not shown in the drawing. The operation of the l silo 10 likewise closes the circuit Vof the motor 11 extending from source of current 22, con-v tact 47 of the relay 10, through the motor 11, contact 48 of the relay 20, .which'is closed upon the operation of' the mechani-A cally locking relay 10, as hereinafter described, and thence to' ground. As the motor shaft rotates, cam 14 closes the contact 49 twice in rapid succession, sending two series ot' alternating current impulses -to the line 1 causing relay 40 to be energized and deenergized twice over a circuit extending from source of current 22, contact 49, condenser 24, armature and contact 50 of relay 21, condenser 61, through the winding of relay 40, to ground. Each energization of relay 40 causes it to attract its armature, completing a circuit for relay'38 extending from one side of battery 39, through the winding of relay 38, armature and contact of relay 40, to other side of battery. Each complete operation of the pole changer 38 energizes the operating winding of the selector 2G twice with currents of opposite polarities supplied by the battery 41 through contacts 52 when the relay 38 is energized and through contacts 53 when the said relay is deenergized. In this way, each closure and each subsequent opening of the contact 49 by the cam 14, operates the selector 26 once, serving to advance the brush around one step. Since in the present case, two impulses have been sent across the line by the closing of the contact 49 at station A, the selector 26 will receive four pulses, the irst three impulses advancing the arm 55 three steps to close the local circuit of the right hand winding of the mechanically locking relay 27 through the selector contact 202. This circuit extends from the positive side of battery 33 through right hand winding of relay 27, contact 202, selector brush 55, pin 204 on the selectorwheel, catch spring 5G to the negative side of battery 33, thus energizing the right hand winding of relay 27. During the stepping operation of the selector, contact between catch spring 56 and the pins, such as 204, is made for only about '.005 second, which is not long enough to cause the operation of the relays, such as 27 or 28. Contacts 202, 203, etc. are spaced about the selectorwheel in accordance with the particular code setting of the selector. Cams 14, etc. are arranged so that the last impulse sent is lon er than those preceding it. This long impu se fully charges conden- -ser 54, so that no current is thereafter permitted to flow through the selector windings. Its operating armature, therefore, returns to normal, permitting ,catchv spring 56 to engage pin 204Aand hold the wheel in posi`- tion, while the corresponding winding 'of relay 27x is energized 'as explained above. When the long pulse is discontinued, that is, when contact 49 is broken through the in the patent mentioned before. This ener` gization ot' the relay 27, described above causes the armature to be drawn over to the contact 34, opening the contact 35. The opening ot' the contact 35 breaksr the local circuit' of the lamp 30, extinguishing the lamp, at the same time establishing a circuit which may be traced from one side ofbattery 33, lamp 29, contact 34, and the armature of the relay l27, back to the other side of battery, thus lighting the lamp 29. The lighting of the lamp .29 informs the attendant at the central station that the power switch 2 at the substation A is in the normal or open position. Upon the completion of one-haltl a revolution, cam 13 closescontact 57 at the'station A, establishing a circuit extending from source of current 22, contactl 57, through the lowermost winding ofl the relay 10 to ground. This operation of relay 10 restores its armature to the position shown, breaking thel motor circuit.

through the contact 47, thus stopping the motor 11.- The cams 12, 17 and all similar cams are adapted to control the respective relay energizing circuits. The circuit 'previously traced for the relay 10, for example, extends either through switch contacts 4, 5 and 4G or else through contacts 4, 6 and ($3. The cam 12 is so mounted on the cam shaft of the motor 11 that it is in the up position shown in -the drawing when the switch contact 4 is down, and 'at' rest in the'down position when the contact 4 is up, in both cases breaking the circuit ofthe relay 10. lVhen, however, .the switch contact 4 is moved up against the contact 5 while the cam 12 is up, the energizing circuit of the relay 10 will be completed through contacts 4, 5 and 46. The signaling mechanism will then'operate and finally the motor 11 will stopv with the cam 12 in the down position, cutting ofi the energizing current to the relay 10 and preventing its continuous operation. When this' operation iscompleted, the cam 12 will be down, and the contact 4 will, of course, still be up. When the contact 4 is next moved down, manually or otherwise, the' energizing circuit of the relay 10 will be Vcompleted through contacts 4, 6 and 63, and when the motor 11 finally stops, the cam 12 will have returned to the up position. The operation of cams 17, 112 and 117 and their associated switch contacts is similar to that of tlie cam 12.

When the signaling mechanism associated with the switcl12 has completed the operation described above, any other relay, such as the relay' 15, at the substation A,can operate if the Contact on the power switch has been closed in the meantime. The operation of the relay 15 is similar to the operation of the relay 10 `described above, the opening of the contact 45, in this case, -cntting olf current to the relay' 10 as well as to all other similar' relays in th's substation. The power switch 3 is close as shown in the drawing, and the lamp' 31 is lighted. Uponthe operation of the contact 7 of the switch 3, the motor 16 starts in the manner described in connection with switch 2 above. Three series of impulses will be sent across the line by the closure of the contact 58 by the cam 19, the circuit being traceable from the source of current 22, through contact 58, condenser 24, armature and contact 50 Aof relay 21, condenser 61, and the winding of the relay 40, to ground. The selector switch 26 at the central station advances, step by step, until the arm 55 comes to rest against the contact 203, completing, a local circuit for the right hand winding of relay 28, causing it to -move its armature into engagementvwith ycontact 37?, lighting the lamp 32, in the manner (described above. Upon the final opening of the contact 58 by the cam 19, the selector brush 55 will be advanced another step from vwhich position it will drop4 back to its starting position, After contact or 129, as the case may be,

the final operation of the contact 58 bythe cam 19, the cam 18` momentarily closes thev contact 59, establishing a circuit from the source of current 22, through contact 59, through the lowermost Winding of the relay 15, to ground. The relay 15 then operates `to break the motor circuit in the manner 'described above. v

Theilock-out of all substations except the one transmitting a signal vis accomplished as follows: The operation of any relay, such as 10 or 110, at any substation on the line, completes a circuit from battery 41, coil 42, y through relay 20 or 120 and through contact. 62 or 128 to ground, operating, as theA c'ase may be, the relay 20 or 120 andat the same time causes the operation of al1 the relays 21, 121, etc.,1 at any substation which may lie between the transmitting station and the ,central control station. For example, the

operation of the relay 110 at substation B, which breaks the `circuit of its corresponding relay 115 through the contact 127 also completes the circuit of the relay 120 through the closure of the contact 128, the

circuit being established from the source of battery .41, through coil 42, through relay 21 and the resistance ain shunt therewith contact 60 of relay 20, contact 129, winding vof relay 120, secondary of transformer coil 125, contact 128 `to ground, thus operating relays 21 and 120. The-operation of relay 120 breaks the contact 130, interrupting the line 1 and thus cutting ofall substations 'beyond the station B. `Potential from source ternating current therethrough, armature-of relay ,121, contact 129, contact 60, resistance.

in shunt of the relay 21 at the subst-ation A since the winding of re1ayv21 oers too great an impedance to the passage of alternating current, condenser 61, winding ofrelay 40 to ground, thus operating the relay 40. It will th-us be seen that an alternating current is superimposed on the direct current from the battery 41 on'the line conductor 1. direct current from battery 41 opens contact 50, thus preventing an energization of relay 20 and interrupting the circuit for motor/ 11 or 16, although one break in this cir cuit may be closed' through the contacts of relays 10 or 15 by an operation of power switches 1 or 2 at the operation of any relay-10 or 15 at a time when the line is clear will lock out all substations between station A and the central station. ating also causes an operation of relay 20 over a circuit established from battery 41, coil 42, Contact ,50` winding of relay 20, coil 25, and contact 62 tof'ground, opening gcontact60 and cutting oi1 the substation B and all othei` substations beyond it. It will thus be seen that the various relays 20 and 12() can be operated at only one substation'at a time, and the motors at any of the other substations are prevented from starting un- 20 or 120, as the,

til the corresponding relay case may be, at the substation last operated is released. K condenser, such as is shown atv 131 may be provided at each substation on the linefo'r the spark caused by the operation of the mechanical locking relays.

trolled by each of said signaling means for disconnecting the signaling means at all of said remote stations,o"ther than its own, from said line conductor.

substation A. Similarly `Either of these relays in operpurpose of taking up the i Iimpulses upon said 2. In a signaling system, a line, a central station and a plurality of substations con-4 nected with said line, a plurality of switches at each substation, a pluralityof relays, each respectively controlled by the operation ofy each such switch, means controlled by eac-h of said Arelays for signaling the central station over saidline` a relay at each substation controlled by the operation of said lirst mentioned relays for disconnecting from said line circuit said sig aling means at all substations between a given substation and thecentral station, and a relay included in the line at each substation controlled by the voperation of the first mentioned relaysvat substations beyondthat at which a given line relay is lo ated for disconnecting their respective signaling means from said line. l

3. In a signaling system, a line conductor, a central station and a plurality "of substations connected with said line conductor, a plurality of switches at each substation, a plurality of locking relays, each respectively controlled by the operation of each of said switches, means controlled by each of said relays for signaling said central station over said line, a. relay at each substation controlled by saidplocking relays for rendering inoperative the signaling means associated with the locking relays at all substations therebeyond, a relay included in the line at each substation controlled by the locking relays at the substations therebeyond for disconnecting their respective signaling means from said line conductor, a step-by-step device at said central station, means controlled by each of said signaling means for operating said step-by-step device, and means controlled by said step-by-step device for giving an indication of the operation .of said switches.

' 4. In a signaling system, a line conductor interconnecting a central station and a plurality of substations, a plurality of switches at each substation, a plurality of relays each associated with one ot said switches and controlled by the ope 'ation thereof, means controlled by each of said relays for signaling said central station over said line, said means comprising an electric motor, a cam carried by lsaid motor and means controlled by said cam tor impressing electrical line conductor, a stepby-step device at said central station, means' controlled by said signaling means for operating said step-by-step device, means controlled by said step-by-step device for giving an indication ot the operation of said switches, a second cani associ/ated with each of said motorsand operative upon the conclusion of the transmission of signaling impulses for stopping said motor and returning said relays to normal, means at each substation controlled by the relays thereat for Y controlled by the operation rendering inoperative the' signaling means at all substations therebeyond, and means controlled by saidy relays for renderin inoperative the signaling means at all su stations between the central station and aI given substation.

5. In a signaling system, a line conductor interconnecting a central station and a plurality of substations, a plurality of switches at each substation, a plurality of relays, each controlled by the operation of one ot' said switches, means controlled by each of said relays for signaling said central station over said line, said means comprismg an electric motor and means controlled thereby for impressing impulses upon said line conductor, a. selector at said central station, a relay controlled by said motor-controlled means for operating said selector, a plurality of electric lamps vcontrolled by said selector for giving an indication lot' the operation of said switches, a second cam associated with said electricmotor, means controlled by said cam for stopping said motor and returning said relays to normal, a relay at each substation controlled by the operation of the first mentioned relays thereat for disconnecting from said line conductor the signaling means at all substations therebeyond, and a line relay at each substation' of the first mentioned relays at any substation therebey.ondtor disconnecting the respective signaling means from said line conductor.

6. A signaling system comprising a central station and a plurality of remote stations joined by a common line conductor, signaling means at each of said remote stations connected to said line conductor for signaling said central station over said line conductor, means controlled at each of said remote stations for disconnecting from said line conductor said signaling means at all remote stations nearer said central station, and means controlled at each of said remote .stations for disconnecting from said line conductor said signaling means at all' remote stations farther away from said central station.

' 7. A signaling system comprising'a common line conductor connecting a central station and a plurality of remote stations', a device at each remote station, a source of alternating current, signaling means connected to said linelconductor and controlled by cach of said devices' for impressing current impulses from said source upon said line conductor to signal said central sta. tion, a source of direct current connected with said line conductor, and means controlled jointly by the signaling means at each remote station and by said source of direct current for disconnecting the current impulsing means at all the other remote stations 'from said line conductor.

said sources upo source of direct current 8. A signaling system comprising acentral station and-a plurality of remote stations joined by a common line conductor, a plurality of switches at each of said re- 5 mote stations, a source of alternating cur-` rent at each of said remote stations, signaling means connected to said line 'conductor and controlled by each of said switches for impressing current im ulses kfrom one of sai line conductor to signal said centra station, means `controlled by each of said signaling means for preventingthe operation of all the other slgnaling means at the Same remote station therewith,

a source of direct current at said central station, and means controlled jointly by each of said signaling means and by said g for disconnecting said signaling means at all the other remote 'stations from said lline conductor.

9. A signaling`system comprising a central station and a plurality 4of remote 'stations joined by a common line conductor, a plurality of switches at each of said remote tstations, a source of alternating current at each of said remote stations, signaling means` connected to said lme conductor and controlled by each of said switches forimpressing current impulses from said source upon said line conductor to slgnal sald cen- -tral station, a source of. direct current at I said central station, means jointly controlled by each of said signaling means and by said v source of direct current for disconnecting from thev line conductor said signaling 'means at all the remote stations beyond a.

given remote station, and means jointly con# trolled by eiach of said signaling means and l source 0`f direct current for discon.

by said necting from said line conductor said signaling means at all remote stations between I* lthecentral station and' a given remote sta# tion. v ,y

10.`A signaling system comprisingy a cenf tral station and a plurality `of remote sta-.

tions joined by a common line conductor, a plurality of switches at each "of said remote stations, a source of alternating current at each of said remote stations, signaling means connected to said line conductor and controlled by each of said switches for impressing current impulses from onel of said sources vupon said li'ne conductor to slgnal said central station, means controlledv by each of said signaling means for prevent ing the operation of all the other slgnaling means at the same remote station therewith, a source of direct current at said central station, means jointly controlled by each of -said signaling' means and by said source of" my name this 4th day of October, A. D.,

JOSEPH ci FIELD.A 

